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Why I won’t honour US visa reinterview invitation – Soyinka
By Staff
Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has turned down an invitation from the United States Consulate in Nigeria to attend a visa reinterview.
According to reports, the literary icon has said he will not take part in the process under the administration of President Donald Trump, whom he compared to former Ugandan leader Idi Amin.
The invitation was sent to Nigerians holding B1/B2 visas, with Soyinka’s appointment fixed for last Thursday, September 11.
Soyinka explained that he initially thought the letter was a scam because he had never received such a request before, but later confirmed its authenticity.
Soyinka questioned the timing of the exercise, saying that September 11 is a day of mourning for Americans and should not be used for bureaucratic matters.
He said the Consulate should have suspended activities on that date in remembrance of lives lost in the 2001 attacks.
The playwright also stated that he had no interest in pursuing travel to countries where he does not feel welcome.
According to him, he has more pressing commitments than seeking visas and would not step into an embassy linked to a government he distrusts.
He maintained that his decision was not personal but rooted in principle, adding that he would rather cut ties than honour the reinterview on September 11.
He said: “Are we looking in the case of the United States, at the white Idi Amin, for instance? If you look very closely at the conduct, the behaviour, the mentality of the present incumbent president, you find out there are Idi Amins of different colours. And if Idi Amin says I should come to his embassy, I would think twice before going because I don’t know what is waiting for me on the other side of the door.”
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Victor Osimhen to miss Nigeria’s crucial game against South Africa
Having picked up yet another avoidable injury in the team’s last match against Rwanda, Victor Osimhen will miss yet another crucial World Cup qualifier, this time against South Africa. And regarding Samson SiaSia’s claims that the Rwandan players set out to injure Osimhen, that is utter balderdash as the injury was in fact due to an overexertion by Osimhen himself on the particular play.
The best ability is availability. Victor Osimhen has been absent from majority of the Super Eagles World Cup qualifiers. It’s the same thing with him at the club level where he is never fully available for the full duration of games.
While there is no doubting his ability and commitment to the national team, Nigeria is too blessed with talent, both raw and developed, to continually depend on one player. This is an opportunity for the likes of Dessers and co to lay claim to their own place in the team.
Osimhen has got to adapt his game to reach his full potential. His injuries are mostly avoidable. He has also not developed the requisite football IQ expected of a world class center forward, such as holding the line just right and not being offside at crucial moments. He must also become a true leader. Leadership does not depend on how vocal or loud you are. In fact, the most effective leaders hardly say a thing. They just lead by example with their conduct, dedication and strong sense of personal discipline and requisite self awareness.
Nigeria should beat South Africa with or without Osimhen as the onus is on the coach and the FA to find the right solution to this hick-up. The talent is there. Take politics out of it and have a plan-of-action.
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